Strontium

Hair usually reflects the body burden of Strontium (Sr), and Sr levels usually correlate with calcium levels in body tissue. However, hair levels of Sr can be raised by external contamination, usually from hair treatment products. Elevated Sr in hair treated with permanent solutions, dyes, or bleaches is likely to be an artifact of hair treatment and probably does not reflect the level of Sr in other tissues.

Diseases of excess Sr have not been reported, except for Sr rickets. In general, Sr excess is not of clinical concern in the U.S. It’s bad reputation comes from it’s radioactive isotopes which were widespread in the western U.S. as a result of nuclear testing in the 1950’s. Stable Sr (not radioactive Sr) is measured and reported by DDI.

Other tests indicative of Sr status or excess are measurements of Sr in whole blood, Sr/calcium ratio in blood, and Sr in urine.

Low strontium levels in hair analysis may signify a potential deficiency in strontium in the body. Strontium is a trace element that closely parallels calcium metabolism, and hair levels of strontium usually correlate with calcium levels in body tissues.

Strontium is considered an osteotrophic (bone-seeking) trace element, and it is normally present in our diet and bodies.

Strontium in a hair analysis can provide valuable information about an individual's body burden of strontium and its correlation with calcium levels in body tissues. Strontium levels in hair can be influenced by both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external) sources. Endogenous sources of strontium in hair originate from the body's strontium pools within blood and bones, while exogenous sources represent external environmental influences from aerosols, particulates, and environmental waters.